August 2011
Welcome back! I am excited to begin my first full year serving the students of our community. I was very pleased that the Board of Education was able to pass a budget for this school year that allowed us to retain our quality programs and services for students without any reduction in our calendar year for faculty and staff.

I am also happy to report that each of our county schools once again made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as determined by the state of Georgia on a variety of assessments. Each year, the bar is raised and it becomes more challenging for schools to reach this distinction.

We are one of the few county systems in our state where all schools continue to meet the increased standards. In fact, of the 24 Georgia systems where all schools met AYP, Fayette County is the only large system (more than 10,000 students) where all schools met AYP!

It is my opinion, and the data supports, that our school system is one of the premiere public school systems in the state. However, we should always strive to grow and improve. I believe, with your support and involvement, we can be the premiere public school system in the nation.

It is a privilege to serve the children of Fayette County.

Dr. Jeffrey Bearden
Superintendent